Yes, the angle is weird, but I had to use my built-in webcam.
The other thing I want to talk about today is the little girl I've had friends with at my work. I don't think I should use her real name, so we'll call her Anna. For the past five days of Duct Tape Art, I've helped her make a Tardis out of duct tape and cardboard that has a slot in the top like a piggy bank and a lid that lifts open so she can get her money out. This was the end product:
For those of you who have no idea what a Tardis is, it's a time machine/spaceship/club house from the TV show Dr. Who. This is what it looks like on the show:
I don't think we did too bad! The thing I didn't mention about Anna, though, is that she's disabled. I dont quite know what her condition is called, but it makes it hard for her to walk. Some days are better than others... there are some days where she can walk almost normally but there have been days when it's been painful for her to even move from her motorized scooter to a chair. I know there's something wrong with her heart too because there is a big scar going vertically down her chest and she told me today that she's getting another surgery. She also has a service dog that she brings to school some days to help her manage stress. I remarked how she brought her little friend along today again and she said, "Yeah, I brought her to school for you."
Today some girl was being really mean to Anna and I have never wanted to punch a thirteen year old in the face so badly. It wasn't mean in a direct way, like making fun of her walk or the fact that she had a service dog, it was mean in a backhanded, condescending sort of way, like dissing on her Tardis and undermining everything she said. Instead of letting that girl piss on Anna's confidence, because I could tell it was getting to her, I just told her that she was her own Doctor and could make her Tardis any way she wanted.
It's not just that girl that's getting her down. Middle school is though. Being less than popular is even tougher. Now imagine having a disability that makes you different than everyone else. Anna told me today that it's gotten to the point where she just wants to stay in bed and not go to school anymore because the bullying is so bad. As someone who didn't exactly have the easiest middle school, that breaks my heart. She is such a sweet girl. Her original reason for wanting to make the Tardis into a piggy bank was so she could use it to collect donations for her church projects. She's spending a night living outside in cardboard boxes with no food as a part of a fundraiser to help the homeless. WHO BULLIES SOMEONE LIKE THAT?
I asked my supervisor at work if I could teach whatever class Anna's in next cycle of classes just so I make sure she has an ally in class. There is only one other girl that I work with that would even give a shit to make sure she's okay - the other two just sit there are look like they'd rather be anywhere else and I don't want Anna to get stuck with student-teachers like that. I know there are other kids in the program, not just her, but I think Anna just needs a friend in a way that the other kids don't and she already trusts me and I think looking out for her more important than babysitting bratty little kids.
My supervisor said that class assignments are based on the student-teacher's strengths though. Are you kidding me?! How much "strength" does it take to run a middle school after school class? Based on my experience so far, the answer is none. To me, making sure one of the students is being taken care of by someone she trusts is more important than, for example, having a science major work in the science classroom.
I have one week of Duct Tape Art left and I have my fingers crossed that I'll end up teaching Anna's class next class cycle. Wish me luck on that you guys!
No comments:
Post a Comment